The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1887-10-09

Bear Brethren and Sisters:
1t appears proper, at this Fifty eighth
Semi-anDual Conference of the Church
Of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints
that an Epistle should be addressed tC
the members of the Church, in con-
formity with the custom which has
been observed at the past five General
Conferences.
DEATH OF PRESIDENT TAYLOR.
As some of the Apostles are pre-
vented, by circumstances well known
TO the Saints, from appearing in pub
lie, the Church will naturally look for
some expression from them concern
ing their feelings and hopes respecting
the work of our God. Especially at the
present time is deep interest felt in the
utterances of the Apostles, because of
the loss which the Church has suS-
tanned in the death of PRESIDENT JOHN
TAYLOR. Twice before has the Church
rGourned the death of it's President,
and each time the event has produced
profound impression upon its mem
bers. In this instance this sad event
is invested with more significance than
it would have been had 1t occurred in
the ordinary way. = President Taylor
died in exile. For about two years
and half he had been compelled to
live in Seclusion, and to refrain from
a1 public association with the people
whom he loved more than he did life.
Through his decease the Church is
called the third time to mourn the de-
pRrture of the man who has stood as
its President and as the Prophet, Seer
aud Regelator to this generation. The
experience which the Saints have
gained in passing through these trials
mas been of exceeding value to them.
They have learned that God can take
care of his own work, and that they
need not worry. nor yield to anxiety or
doubt concerning its management.
After the martyrdom of the Prophet
Joseph there were pretenders who as
serted that they had the right to take
his place at the head of the Church.
Some were deceived by their preten-
sions, not being familiar 18th the or
der of the Priesthood.
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE
APOSTLES.
For some time before his death the
Prophet Joseph was inspired of the
Lord TO anticipate his own departure
from earthly scenes. This was shown
in various ways; but especially in the
great anxiety which he displayed to
bestoW upon the Twelve Apostles all
the keys and authority of the Holy
Priesthood which he had received He
declared in private and in public that
they were equipped and fully qualified,
and that he had rolled the kingdom of
God on TO the shoulders of the Twelve
apostles.
PRESIDENT WOoDRUFF'S PERSONAL
TESTIMONY
1, MILFORD Woodruff, being the last
man living in the flesh who was pres
ent upon that occasion feel il q duty
owe to the Church OF Jesus Christ of
Latter day Saints, to the House of
Israel, and to the whole world to bear
this my last testimony to all nations,
that in the winter of 1881, Joseph
Smith, the Prophet of God, called the
Twelve Apostles together in the City
of NauvoO. and spent many days with
us in giving us our ,endowmentS, and
teaching US those glorious principles
which God had revealed to him. And
upon one occasion he stood upon mis-
feet in our midst for nearly three
hours declaring unto US the great and |
last dispensation which God had set !
His hand to perform upon the earth in
these last days. The room was filled
was clothed upon with much of the
power of God and his face shone and
was transparently clear, and he closed
that speech, pever-to-be- forgotten in
time or in eternity with the following
language:
Brethren, | have had great sorrow
of heart for fear that might be taken
from the earth with the keys of the
Kingdom of GOD upon me, without |
sealing them upon the heads of other !
men. God has sealed upon my head |
all the keys of the Kingdom of God |
necessary for organizing and build |
ing up of the Church, Zion, and |
Kingdom OF God upon the earth, and |
to prepare the Saints tor the coming |
of the Son of Man. Now, brethren, / |
thank God have lived to see the day /
that have been enabled to give you |
your endowmentS, and | have now |
sealed upon your heads all the powers |
OF the AaToaic and Melchesidek Priest !
hoods and ApOstleship, with all the |
Keys and powers thereof, which God /
mas sealed upon nae; and | now roll oft |
all the labor, burden and care of this |
Church and Kingdom of God upon
your shoulders, and | now command |
you II the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ TO round up your shoulders, and
bear OF this Church and Kingdom of
God before heaven and earth, and be-
fore God, angels and men; and if you
CONT do it you viii be damned."
And the same spirit that filed the
room at that time burns in my bosom
while / record this testimony, and the
Prophet of God appointed NO QUE else
but the Twelve Apostles to stand at
the head of the Church and direct its
affairs.
THE PRESIDENCY IN TIE APOSTLES
When the Prophet joseph had
passed away by foul assassination.
those whe possessed the Spirit OF Cod |
sid were living in close communion
with II, knew the voice of the tru
g Rnherd and were not decpivnn l,v LII. ]